Flue-cleaner



(No Model.)

J.T. MEAD '& J. THOMSON.

FLUE CLEANER.

No. 397,509. Patented Feb. 12, 1889.

7M JNVENTORS WITNESSES,

A T T ORNE VS.

N. PETERS. PholoLilhu m her. washm mn, D. C.

Nrrn STATES PATENT OF ICE.

FLU E-CLEAN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,509, dated February 12, 1889.

Application filed September 27, 1888. Serial No. 286,500. (No model.)

' of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in flue-cleaners; and it consists in certain features of construction and in combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan. Figs. 2 and 3 are elevations in transverse sections on lines .20 a and 1 y, Fig. 1.

A represents a central rod having a screwthreaded section, A, for attaching a handle. Near section A, and perhaps an inch or two farther forward, the rod is provided with ears a, arranged in pairs, as shown, for embracing and pivoting the respective arms B, the

arms and ears being pierced laterally for pintles 0. At the other extreme the rod A has four laterally-projecting cruciform lugs or steady-pins, a, these lugs extending into hollow hubs B of arms B. Springs D are located inside the hub, as shown, the tension of these springs holding arms B distended as far as the engagement of end B wit-h rod A will admit. Arms B at the hub have lateral wings I) and perpendicular wings b, all integral with the hub and with each other, and beyond these the broad thin radial section B is of the curved variety shown, the extreme points thereof converging so nearly that they readily enter into the boiler-flue. From approximately the highest point of the back or outside curve of sectionB branch off spirally in either direction ribs b the same extending rearward and joining the extreme outer points of union of webs b and b. Ribs b have shar 3 cuttin or scra )in outered es l b o a presenting forward, and the curve of these ribs is such that they will fit a flue of given diameter for about the entire length of the rib. These oblique or spiral sharp edges are found very effective in cleaning the boilerfiue, and this flue-cleaner is operated with little force as compared with those having the scrapers approximately at right angles to the axis of the flue. Arms B and attachments are usually of cast metal and require no fitting except drilling holes for the aforesaid pintles c, and consequently when the scrapersthat is to say, the ribs b-are worn away so as to become inoperative these arms may be renewed at a trifling cost.

The sharp or scraping edges of ribs 19 had better be chilled or case-hardened to increase their wearing capacity.

Of course a different set of arms are provided .for the different sizes of boiler-fines; but the same rods A may be used for several sizes, if desired.

What we claim is 1. In a flue-cleaner, the combination, with a central rod and arms, substantially as indicated, pivoted at their rear. ends to said rod and supported upon yielding bearings near the front ends, of ribs extending spirally in opposite directions from each arm, each rib having a scraping-edge adapted to fit a flue of given size, substantially as set forth.

2. In flue-cleaners, the combination, with a central rod having a series of projections on its front end, of arms pivoted at their rear ends to said rod and provided with scrapingribs extending spirally in opposite directions from each arm, and springs interposed between the projections on the rod and the arms for yieldingly supporting the free ends of the latter, substantially as set forth.

In testimonywhereof we sign this specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 9th day of August, 1888.

J OIIN T. MEAD. JOHN 'IHOMSON.

WVitnesses:

CHAS. H. Donna, OHAs. PHILLIPS. 

